The power to summon the Houses of the Parliament is vested with the ______.
President
Understanding the Power to Summon Parliament
The question asks about the authority responsible for summoning the Houses of the Parliament. In India, the Parliament consists of the President and the two Houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Summoning Parliament refers to calling its sessions to begin.
Who Summons the Houses of Parliament?
According to the Constitution of India, the power to summon each House of Parliament is vested with the President of India. Article 85(1) of the Constitution explicitly states that the President shall from time to time summon each House of Parliament to meet at such time and place as he thinks fit, but six months shall not intervene between its last sitting in one session and the date appointed for its first sitting in the next session.
Therefore, the President is the constitutional head who formally calls the sessions of both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
Examining Other Options
- Speaker: The Speaker is the presiding officer of the Lok Sabha. Their role is to conduct proceedings in the Lok Sabha, maintain order, and interpret rules. The Speaker does not have the power to summon Parliament sessions.
- Vice President: The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. They preside over the sessions of the Rajya Sabha. Like the Speaker, the Vice President does not have the power to summon Parliament sessions.
- Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of the government and the leader of the Council of Ministers. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers advise the President on summoning Parliament. However, the formal constitutional power to summon is with the President, who acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
Comparison of Roles Related to Parliament Sessions
| Official | Primary Role Related to Parliament | Power to Summon Sessions? |
|---|---|---|
| President | Constitutional Head; Integral part of Parliament | Yes (Formally summons both Houses as per Article 85(1)) |
| Speaker | Presiding Officer of Lok Sabha | No |
| Vice President | Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha; Presiding Officer of Rajya Sabha | No |
| Prime Minister | Head of Government; Advises the President | No (Advises, but doesn't formally summon) |
Based on the constitutional provisions, the power to formally summon the Houses of the Parliament is vested exclusively with the President of India.
Revision Table: Key Facts on Summoning Parliament
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Authority for Summoning | President of India |
| Constitutional Article | Article 85(1) |
| Requirement | Maximum 6 months between last sitting of one session and first sitting of the next |
| Houses Summoned | Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha |
| Basis of President's Action | On the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister |
Additional Information: Parliamentary Sessions in India
The summoning power is crucial for ensuring that Parliament meets regularly to discharge its legislative and oversight functions. There are typically three sessions in a year:
- Budget Session: Usually held from February to May.
- Monsoon Session: Usually held from July to September.
- Winter Session: Usually held from November to December.
While the President formally summons Parliament, the decision on the dates and duration of sessions is taken by the Cabinet Committee on Parliamentary Affairs, which consists of senior ministers and is chaired by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs (or sometimes the Home Minister). This recommendation is then forwarded to the President for formal approval and issuance of the summons.
The President also has the power to prorogue (terminate a session) and dissolve the Lok Sabha.
Similar Questions
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Important Questions from Central Government
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What is correct about the dismissal of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha ?
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ii. To introduce such resolution prior notice of 14 days is essential
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iv. Such resolution should be passed by a majority of the ten members of the house
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2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies.
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Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
